Signaling device



Jan 6, 1931. T. J. scoFu-:LD ET A1. 1,788,350

S IGNALING DEVICE Filed July l5. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l x 0 o J? L ll- F/ 2W 'f I/V/IA/ToRs 7,' J. Scofield, L'EA/'o/mson. f'. W. Billig, Wmparks.

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Jan. 6, 1931. T. J. scor-'lLD ET AL 5 Sheets-Sheet- 2 SIGNALING DEVICE Filed Jly l5. 1927 h ns om,

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, Patented Jan. 6, 1931 monious note or notes` having the t UNITED STATES PATENT; OFFICE THEODORE J'. SCOFIELD, LLOYD JOHNSON, FRED W2v BILLIG, AND WILLIAM SPARKS, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNORS TO THE SPABKS-WITHINGTON COMPANY, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.-

SIGNALING DEVICE Application led July 15, 192?. SerlaLNo. 205,987.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in si alin'g devices.

It is found in the useo air horns of the character herein illustrated that when two or more sound-producing devices are utilized for the production of preferably harmonious notes that the resultant sound is of excellent carrying quality and can be heard long distances in open spaces, but the sound lacks somewhat the desired capacity of penetrating enclosed chambers, such as the closed body of an automobile, due perhaps to the fact that suiiicient air is not drlven into the projectors when a plurality of the same are utilized by a power plant of the size and weight adapted for use on automobiles or other vehicles, and

'the object of this invention is to provide an air horn of the character illustrated, utilizing two or more sound-producing devices,

and in which means is provided for permit ting the use of elther one or of two or more such sound producing devices, dependent upon the character of the note or notes which it is desired the device should emit, whereby all of the air moved under pressure by the pressure-producing device is forced through one of the sound-producing devices to provide a sound of suicient amplitude and penetrating character so that persons within a closed chamber or vehicle readily hear the sound,

`or where it is desired to advise persons on the open road of the approach of the vehicle, the an' column may be divided and directed through two or more sound-producing devices, thereby vproducing a preferabl haresired capacity for warning the public to be advised of the approach of the vehicle.

And the object of this invention resides in the production vof a signaling device having the capacity of utilizing one or more sound producing devices so that all of the air may be forced through one of such devices to` produce a desired sound or through two o1' more of such devices to produce a sound desired under "other conditions and circumstances.'l

Other objects and advantages relate to the details of the structure and the form, relation and operation of the parts thereof, all

as will more fully appear from the following l description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is an elevationof a device of this invention.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2, Figure 1. Figure 3 is a section on line 3 3, Figure 1. Figure 4 is a section on line 4 4, Figure 1. Figure 5 is a section similar to the upper portion of Figure 2 illustrating the use of more than two sound-producing devices.

Figure 6 is al section similar to the upper portion of Figure 2, of a modified form of device in which a manually actuated valve is used.

Figure 7 is a section on line 7,-7, Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a section on lineV 8 8, Figure 6...

The structure as herein illustrated consists of a rotary electric-motor 1 having its armature shaft substantially vertically disposed, and the upper end wall 2 .of the case of the motoris of substantially circular form, and provided with a depending tubular boss 3 in which the upper end of the armature shaft llis journaled. I

The lower end of the armature shaft 4 extends through an opening in the U-shaped case 7 and may be -provided with an adjustable bearing 5- carried by the end or cross-wall 6- of the U-shaped motor-case 7 The endsV of the U-shaped'motor case l 7 are secured to the anges 8 and this purpose the end wall or head 2 is 1 formed with a circular chamber or cylinder 14.- on the side op osite the electric motor l and this cylin rical recess or chamber is eccentric with respect to the armature shaft 41- and to the rotorcshaft' 15 which is aligned with the armature shaft 4L- and maybe connected to the rotor 13 in any suitable manner, as for instance formed in'- tegrally with the rotor.

The rotor shaft extends into and is journaled in the boss -3- aid may terminate a short distance above the upper end of the armature shaft fi-h and is connected to the armature shaft for simultaneous rotary movement while permitting relative longitudinal movement in an suitable manner, as by a key -50--exten ing into slots formed in the adjacent ends of the rotary shaft, and the armature shaft for locking the two against relative rotary movement, the key being positioned at an intermediate point along the bearing -3-.

In effect, the rotor shaft l5- and the armature shaft -4- are a sectional armature shaft and for the'purpose of the claims of this application may be so considered.

The armature shaft being concentric with the end head -2- and the rotor -13 being concentric with the armature shaft, the rotor is eccentrically positioned in the cylinder or chamber 14- by reason of the fact that the said cylinder is formed eccentrically in the end head. Y

The end head -2- is further formed with an air storage chamber 17-, in this instance arranged concentrically with the wall of the cylindrical chamber -14- and extending around the cylindrical chamber throughout slightly more than one-half of its circumference. This storage chamber is in communication with the pressure side of the rotary pump through a port -18- in the wall of the chamber.-14-, and through this port air under pressure is ejected by the rotol" -13- from the chamber llland for effecting this result the rotor 13 includes one or more, in this instance three movable blades -19- slidably mounted in grooves or recesses in the rotor, and preferably spaced equal distances aart, and adapted to be thrown out by centrifugal force as the rotor 13 is driven by the armature shaft -4.

The compressor chamber 14- is formed with an air inlet 20- at the suction side of the compressor, and which air inlet penetrates the bottom wall of the compressor chamber, and leads into the casing -51- which encloses the electric motor -1-. This casing is usually imperforate and for the purpose of admitting air to its interior, it is formed with a struck-up portion 52- interrupting the continuity of the casing wall and forming a passageway whereby air may be freely supplied to the inlet -20- of the compressor and without the production of vacuum within the casing 5l-f;

Mounted upon the upper end of the head -2- and covering the compressor chamber -14- and the `storage chamber -17- is a horn body 56- secured to the head -2- in any suitable manner, as by crews -57-,

and suitable acking ma be interposed between the bod)y and the ead to prevent the escape of air when compressed.y

The body 56- is formed at one side with a vertical conduit -58- leading to two lateral conduits -100- and 101-, and normally communication is cut ofi' between the two conduits -100- and 101- by a valve 102'- seating against the tapered inner end of a core 103 of an electromagnet -104-, and the end of the stem 105 of valve 102 is connected to the armature 106 of the electromagnet 104 and the rear end of the core 103 is recessed for the reception of a spring 107 seating against the inner end of the recess and against the forward side of the armature 106 to normally maintain the armature spaced from the rear flanged end 108 of the core 103. The coil 109 may be enclosed between the outer surface of the core 103 and a cup shape casing 110.

The electromagnet is secured to the horn body -56 by having the front end of the core inserted in an opening in the horn body, which opening is in communication with the passageways 100 and 101, the inner end of the core seating against the flanged portion of the Wall surrounding said opening, and

the core may be formed with an annular flange 111 against which the inner end of a nut 112 is adapted to press when'the nut is threaded into the interiorly threaded wall 113 which surrounds the opening in the body into which the core is inserted. In this manner a rigid and substantial support for the electromagnet, the valve and its operating structure is provided.

A cap -114- preferably covers the armature 106 and may be secured to the wall of the cup-shape casing 110.

In Figures 1, 2 and.3 two separate soundproducing devices are utilized, and except for the length of the lprojectors 00 these sound-producing devices are of similar form. One of them is in communication withthe passageway 100 and the other is in communication with a passageway 101 and under normal conditions all of the air under pressure moving from the storage chamber 17 will pass to the sound-producing device in constant communication with the passageways 58 and 100.

However, when the electromagnet 104 is energized by connecting it in circuit with a suitable source of potential as the battery of an automobile, a suitable switch being provided, the armature 106 will be drawn toward the coil 109 and toward the flanged end 108 of the core 103 so as to open valve 102 to permit the passage of a lportion of the air from the storage chamber through passageways 58, 100 and 101 to the other sound producing structure, under which circumstances two notes preferably of harmonious character, are simultaneously produced.

longer than 'the other for the purpose ofA producing diiierent notes which by suitable adjustment of the devices can be made harmonious in character.

In each case the projector '-60- has its rear end threaded into the front end of one of the bosses -59- on the'horn body and a tube -61- is threaded into the boss so as to substantially contact with the rear end of the' projector -'60, and this tube projects rearwardlyvfrom the boss -59-.

Each boss -59- has a circumferentially enlarged intermediate portion forming an annular chamber 62- surrounding the tube 6land in communication with the respective conduits -58--. The rear end of each boss is` internally enlarged with respect to the front end and is threaded for the reception of an externally threaded tubular boss 63- formed concentrically at the base of a cup-shaped member 64.- which may be locked in any desired-position with respect to boss -59- by means of lock nut -65-.

The internal diameter of the boss -63- is somewhat greater than the external diameter` of the tube 61 so 'as to form an annular passageway around the tube leading from chamber -62 to the interior of the cup shape member --64-. The external wall ofthe cup-shape member -64- is externally threaded for cooperative engagement with the interiorly threaded flange upon a cupshape cap G6- and this cap -66- is formed with a radial shoulder G7- between which and the end of the cup-shape member G4- a thin metallic diaphragm -68- has its edge confined.

The size 'and arrangement of the parts is such that when the diaphragm is positioned, as described, it extends across and normally closes the rear o pen end of the tube -61- and preferably the rear open end of tube --61- is flared, as indicated at -69.

It is found that the air in the chamber between the diaphragm -68- and the cap -66-- varies in pressure somewhat in accordance with the temperatureto which the deviceis subjected, thereby varying the pressure upon the diaphragm -68 which in turn effects the operation of the signaling device, and in order to maintain the device .uniform in operation, the cap -.66 is provided with one or more openings 70'- leading to the chamber between the diaphragm and the cap to permit the entrance ofair to or the exit of air from said chamber to maintain a normal pressure, irrespective of temperature changes.

These openings may, if desired, be covinstance by small grooves or passageways'73- for the escape or entrance of au.

In o eration, when the armature shaft is rotate air entering through inlet 20-.- is

compressed and ejected through outlet -18- into the storage chamber -17- and thencel passes through conduit 5S- to the soundproducing device in vconstant communication therewith, and with the passageway 100. By closing the switch in the circuit leading to the coil 104 valve 102 will ,be opened to permit a proportional quantity of air to pass to the sound-producing devices in constant communication with the passageway 101 so that by the utilization of this structure all the compressed air may be supplied to one sound producing device to produce|- a lnote of great amplitude and penetrating powerh or the air column may be divided and a proportionate amount applied to each sound producing device to produce two notes, pref` erably of a harmonious character.

Figure 5 illustrate-s a similar structure except that a third sound-producing device is utilized which may produce a third note of harmonious character and may have a projector of different length from the other two projectors 60, and in this structure the horn body 56 is provided with a tubular extension 117 having at its upper end a bos's 118 similar to the bosses 59 and carrying avthird sound producing device of identical structure with the two sound producing devices heretofore described.

Tubular passageway'117 is at all times in communication with the passageway 101 so that when the second sound producing device is actuated upon opening of valve 102,

the third sound producing device will be simultaneously actuated.

It will be obvious that a number of sound producing devices may be utilized with one or more valves positioned as described, and suitably actuated to permit the passage of air to any one or all of said devices.

Figures 6, 7 and `8 illustrate a modified form of structure in that the valve for controlling communication between the storage chamber 17 and one of the sound producing devices is controlled by a manually vactuated valve. As illustrated in these latter figures,v

two sound producing devices of similar con'- struction are d1sclosed, and these devices are of the same construct1on as those descr1bed in connection with the former figures, altho leading from the storage chamber 17 to the respective sound producing devices, and to the spaces within the respective bosses 59.

stantly open so as 'to provide continuous communication between the sound producing devices embodying the projector 119, and the ting off such communication may be normally openand ada ted to be closed for causlng the supply o all of the air toone of the said devices, as various changes and modair storage chamber 17. The other passageeiications may bemade in each and all of way 121 may be somewhat reduced in crosssection and the horn body is formed with a lateral recess intersecting the reduced portion of the passageway 121within which recessed portion there is positioned a rotary valve 122 which may be in the form of a cylinder, and this valve has a diametrical passageway 123 whichmay be brought into alignment with the reduced portion of the passageway 121 to permit the free passage of air from the storage chamber 17 to the sound producing device embodying the projector 118, or may be moved out of alignment with said passageway'to prevent such passage of air. This valve may be actuated in any suitable manner, and for that purpose there is shown arock-arm 124 secured to the outwardly' pro-v jecting end of valve 122.and adapted to be manually actuated to rotate the valve as by means of a wire, cord, or link 125 terminatngat any desired point as somewhere near the normal position ofthe driver of the vehicle. v

Normally, valve 122 willbe held in one ofy its pre-determined positions, as for instance that shown in Figure 6 where it cuts oif communication between thestorage chamber and the sound producing device, as by means of a coil spring 126, one end of which may be secured to the horn body 56 and the other end to the valve 122, and tensioned .to maintain the valve in desired position.

A stop 127 is provided to limit actuation of the valve by the spring, and this stop may be in the form. of an arm 128 secured to the end wall 2 in .any suitable manner, as by screwsand carryingthe flange or stop portion 127 lying in the'path of movement of. the lower projecting end of the rock-arm 124.

In this construction under normal condi'- tions all of the air is supplied to one soundproducing device, and it is only necessary to rotate the valve 12,2, as for instance by the said features without departing from the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

We claim: I n

1. A signaling device comprising a motor, a fluid compressor operated by said' motor, a plurality of fluid resonant devices, means of communicatiombetween the fluid compressor and each of said fluid resonant deices, and means for cutting off communicatio body, a hollow casing secured to the horn body and extending forwardly therefrom in the space between two-of said projectors, a magnetic coil'disposed within sald casing, an armature associated with said magnetic coil, a conduit system through the horn body for supplying air under v pressure to said air resonantdevices, a valve in said conduit system, an operating rod extending through said magnetic coil and connected to said armature for actuation thereby to unseat saidl valve .when the magnetic coil is energized.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 30th day of June, 1927 THEODORE J. SCOFIELD.

LLOYD E. JOHNSON. FRED W. BILLIG.

WILLIAM SPARKS.

. structure shown inorder to permit a supply of a proportionate amount of air to the other sound producing device for the production form, construction or arrangement of the sound producing devices,-orjto any particular' number of such devices utilized, or to any specific means for cuttlng off communlcation between one or more of sald devices and the storage chamber, nor to the fact that one or more of said devices is normally cut olf from communication with the storage chamber, as the reverse may be true and the valve for cut- 

